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  THE SMALLEST, SIGNED, ENTIRELY HANDSEWN 13 STAR FLAG THAT I HAVE EVER COME IN CONTACT WITH, MADE BY LAMPRELL & MARBLE, BOSTON, THE STARS ARRANGED IN AN OVAL VARIANT OF THE 3RD MARYLAND PATTERN, CIVIL WAR PERIOD (1861-65), EXTRAORDINARY AMONG KNOWN EXAMPLE

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 41.5" x 63.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 28" x 52"
Description....:
THE SMALLEST, SIGNED, ENTIRELY HANDSEWN 13 STAR FLAG THAT I HAVE EVER COME IN CONTACT WITH, MADE BY LAMPRELL & MARBLE, BOSTON, THE STARS ARRANGED IN AN OVAL VARIANT OF THE 3RD MARYLAND PATTERN, CIVIL WAR PERIOD (1861-65), EXTRAORDINARY AMONG KNOWN EXAMPLES:

We have made 13 star flags in America from 1777 to the present. The US Navy flew them on small boats until 1916. Private individuals flew them on yachts. Civil War soldiers carried them with an eye towards our past struggles for freedom. 13 star flags were produced for the 1876 centennial, the 1926 sesquicentennial, and countless patriotic events from the mid-19th century onward.

So what's so special about this flag? Dating to the Civil War period (1861-65), it is the earliest 13 star flag that I have ever owned that is entirely hand-sewn and has a maker's mark. Only a tiny percentage of 19th century examples of any kind were signed and maker's labeling of 13 star flags was practically non-existent before the mid 20th century, let alone the earlier periods. Early flags of any type that are signed are quite rare, but 13 star examples are especially so. I have heard of one or two, very large examples that were hand-sewn and signed. None, however, to the best my knowledge, are small, like this one, and none have a circular or otherwise desirable star configuration, like this flag.

The reverse side of the hoist bears a black stencil that reads L&M. This is the mark of Lamprell & Marble, a known sail-maker and producer of flags, bunting, and pennants, located at 357 Commercial Street, Boston. The stars are configured in an oval variation of the "3rd Maryland" pattern, a beautiful and desirable design. The flag was probably made for the stern of a boat and survives as an extraordinary example of early American flag-making.

In addition to the "L & M" stencil, the flag in question has the number "165" stenciled on the reverse of the sleeve. There is also a penciled signature of a former owner. Partially illegible, it reads "W. B_____(sic)". Penciled signatures are common. It seems that everyone, except the actual makers of the flags, seemed to like to mark ownership.

The configuration of this flag, with its oval wreath of small stars, surrounding a much larger center star, is generally referred to as the 3rd Maryland pattern. This design is very desirable due to the scarcity of its use. The name comes from a flag that was thought to have been present with General Daniel Morgan, carried by Color Sergeant William Batchelor of the Maryland Light Infantry at the battle of Cowpens in 1781. The Cowpens flag, which now resides at the state capital in Annapolis, was later discovered to be of Mexican War origin (1846-48) at the earliest. A similar flag, in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of History & Technology, was carried by the Maryland and District of Columbia Battalion of Volunteers during the Mexican War.

Construction: The flag is entirely hand-sewn. The canton and stripes of the flag are made of wool bunting. The stars are made of cotton and double-appliqued (applied to both sides of the canton). There is a heavy cotton sleeve with three button hole, whip-stitched grommets.

Some Notes on 13 Star Flags with Maker's Marks:
There are three pre-1890 types of early, makers-marked, 13-star flags that I can recall from memory. I owned one in the 3-2-3-2-3 pattern that was marked Boston Navy Yard, measured about five feet in length, and was probably made in 1867 (according to the research of flag expert Howard Madaus, who discovered the Navy's order for their production). It was made for the Navy by the Middlesex Textile Mill in Lowell, MA, which was owned, in part, by the famous Civil War General, Benjamin Butler. This was a press-dyed (printed) wool flag however, as opposed to a flag with pieced-and-sewn construction. Another press-dyed variety is also known that dates to the 19th century and examples of it emerge every couple of years. These have 1870 patent dates and were made by the U.S. Bunting Company, also in Lowell, which was an outgrowth of the Middlesex Textile Mill. Their star pattern is also 3-2-3-2-3 and they are about ten feet in length.

A single example with pieced and sewn construction also exists, made between the Civil War and the Centennial, with a Boston mark of some variety (can't recall the maker), measuring about seven-and-a-half feet in length. That is the closest in size that I have seen to this flag, which is tree feet smaller. Later on, between the 1890 and 1910, a few 13 star, 3-2-3-2-3 examples are known that were signed by Annin. Annin is our nation's eldest commercial flag-maker and is still in business today. All of these I have described so far are extremely scarce to very rare. For some reason, commercial and cottage industry makers simply didn't mark their names on 13 star flags until the latter half of the 20th century.

Beginning in about 1888, the U.S. Navy started to mark its own 13 star flags, which they flew on small boats, with stenciled lettering. These were pieced and sewn, but they had machine-sewn stripes and are of significantly less interest than this flag in question. They were also 3-2-3-2-3 pattern flags.

Mounting: The kerchief has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color. The black fabric was washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. The mount was then placed in a substantial, hand-gilded Italian molding with a wide, convex profile. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is u.v. protective.

Condition: There are small holes and patches from obvious use, which is great. Small white spots in the canton were masked professionally by one of my conservators. The overall condition and presentation is excellent.
Collector Level: Flags for the truest Patriots. My best offerings
Flag Type: Sewn flag
Star Count: 13
Earliest Date of Origin: 1861
Latest Date of Origin: 1865
State/Affiliation: Massachusetts
War Association: 1861-1865 Civil War
Price: SOLD
 

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